5 Crucial Things to Check When Buying Luxury LA Property

When someone asks if an Los Angeles, CA house has “good bones”, they’re asking as to whether the house has a solid foundation to withstand renovations and become a “great” home.

The first thing to consider is the foundation of the home and if the structure is sound.

Another consideration is a sturdy roof that’s free from pests, and the size of the existing bedrooms (since it’s easy to add square footage but not as simple to add bedrooms).

Natural light is another aspect of “good bones”, since it’s rather hard to replace with artificial light and can be trickier to add. Lot and location is another consideration, as these are two elements that you’re stuck with no matter what.

Below, we’ll dive into these factors in more detail to help craft a clear guide to viewing homes, and luxury LA homes in particular.

#1 Framing Materials

Replacing an existing foundation can be very expensive, but a strong foundation is essential for the rest of the home. Be on the lookout for quality building materials such as hardwood floors, brick, and stone.

Wood Frame Construction can be problematic, as this type of frame is less resistant to fire and wind, and is less durable than other options. Framing is a great time to opt into energy efficiency as well, especially ICF’s or insulated concrete forms.

#2 Energy Efficiency

One of the first things to check out in order to make sure you choose a Los Angeles home with optimal energy efficiency is the windows.

Without proper insulation, weatherproofing windows and doors, double panels, you’ll unknowingly spend more than necessary on heating and cooling.

You can also look for Energy Star rated appliances that’ll save you money in the long run.

#3 Location, Location, Location

In Los Angeles valtrex location is considered to be the most important aspect of a home buyer’s decision, as it is the factor that cannot be changed no matter what.

Even a classic fixer-upper is worth it if it’s a great plot of land with plenty of room for renovations.

Opting for a fixer-upper in a great neighborhood is a very lucrative option.

#4 Natural Lighting and an Open Floor Plan

Natural light and an open floor plan bring tremendous potential and value to a home.

An open floor plan leaves plenty up to your own style, but tall ceilings paired with an open floor plan is often referred to as giving a home great bones.

#5 The Roof

The roof is another important factor to look out for, as they are often quite expensive to replace. Be on the lookout for curling shingles, cracking, or moss or algae over the shingles, or the state of synthetic shingles.

A huge red flag would be a sagging roof, as this is an immediate call to action.

Purchasing a home with “good bones” ensures that you’ll be able to get value out of the home for years to come, and that with some modifications it can become a home that you’re thrilled about.

Focus on location, then analyze the structure of the home as well as the shape of the roof. If no major defects are in place, there’s plenty of natural light and an open floor plan, chances are you can mold it into your dream home.

Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.